London Borough of Sutton has announced that the planned £8m Sutton Life Centre will open its doors to the public in June 2010.

The venue will act as a "citizenship centre" and a learning environment for young people. Facilities will include a new community library, a multi-use games arena, an eco-garden, outdoor climbing wall and a café.

Designed by London-based architects Curl la Tourelle Architects (CLTA), in partnership with museum specialists Land Design Studio, the two-storey centre will also include a virtual reality space called Life Skills Zone.

Comprising four separate areas, the Life Skills Zone combines physical, built architecture - such as an indoor street scene and a complete apartment - with large scale projections that create a range of different virtual environments, from a derelict warehouse to a typical living room.

According to a CLTA spokesperson, the aim of Sutton Life Centre is to teach young people in the area a range of life skills, such as safety scenarios and street-awareness, in an interactive environment.

"For example, school children will be able to walk through a series of rooms experiencing 'virtual' life scenarios. "The story will take them on a journey of discovery, and have dramatic impact through the use of multi-media and 3D projections."

It is hoped that the centre will attract more than 150,000 people each year to use its services.